Live a new experience and Study Abroad |
Living a new different experience - Study abroad.
Numbers released by the Institute of International Education show university-level students receiving credit for studying abroad has increased from 71,154 in 1991/92, to 174,629 for the latest years statistics available. An increase of 145%. Yet this is only a small part of the picture. Many more students study abroad just for the experience, without wishing to gain College credits. More again are teenagers going overseas to study and participate in language schools running summer programs. Then there is the huge number of ‘non-students’ commencing Language study abroad each week. And this is just from the US – add to that the UK, Europe, Asia, Asia, Oceania etc and the numbers are truly huge. How many, no one is exactly sure of.
Just last month I attended, on the invitation of the Spanish Tourism Board, the Fedele conference held in Valladolid, Spain. Fedele (Federation Espanola de Asociaciones de Escuelas de Espanol para Extranjeros) is the association of Spanish Language Schools teaching Spanish to foreigners in Spain. It is well regulated and consists of the major, very highly accredited, Spanish Schools in Spain. Attending there were 140 Language school agents from around the world, Australia, Japan, China, Europe, the America’s to name just a few, and 70 Spanish schools. A quick ask around the schools and agents, and it was revealed that these, just over 200 representatives, were responsible for about 500,000 students studying abroad each year!
So why study aboard? What are your options, and how should you decide?
Now is the time to study abroad. That ‘now’ is whatever age you are! Why? For a teenager, it is important to experience that there are other ‘worlds’ out there. Discovering first hand the other ways of doing things, other perceptions, and other beliefs. Finding out this through a travel abroad experience makes you so much more open to differing ideas later in life. If you are at University this is a perfect time. Before you get ‘caught up ’ with the routines of a working life – a job with just a few weeks off to travel each year, financial and/or family responsibilities. In your 30’s/40’s? Why not! Put your normal life on hold for a few weeks or months (or more) and have that experience of a life time that you have always dreamed of. The sacrifices will be worth it – you only live once. Entering the ‘third age’ or older? There are only so many package holidays you can go on. Immerse yourself properly in a different and interesting culture. Become full involved in an activity or passion – experiencing through the eyes of a different culture.
We can all make excuses– its time to forget the excuses and put thoughts into action.
Good Reasons to Why Study Abroad.
Personal Growth
Students who return from a study abroad program often see it as an experience, which has matured them personally, and intellectually. They have been exposed to new ways of thinking and living, which encourages growth and independence. For many students, going abroad to study is the first time they have really been away independently from 'home,' This is not always an easy experience, but one that is since as worthwhile, and often even life-transforming. After immersing themselves in a new culture, overcoming the challenges of learning in a new and different environment, they typically return home with increased self-confidence and pride in what they have achieved.
New Perspective on the World
Study abroad can broaden your horizons and increase your knowledge and understanding of international, political, and economic issues. You will return from your time abroad more informed and accurate perspective not just on world affairs, but how other people perceive and think of life differently. Things you took fro granted you often see in a different light
Career Enhancement
Study abroad does more than promote academic enrichment and personal growth, it can also enhance your employment prospects. Employers increasingly seek graduates who have studied abroad as they have a greater insight to different views possess international knowledge and often second-language skills.
“It was a life-changing experience,” said Anthony Doornbos, 20, who left New Zealand for a 6 months Travelling Spanish and Adventure classroom in Venezuela. I saw and experienced life and culture I never would have, nor really knew existed. ‘Hola! Como estas?’ That was all my Spanish prior to arriving to Venezuela. I couldn’t even answer it myself! 5 months later I could answer it, and continue the conversation a lot further than I ever thought possible. Living with the language, the culture, the various people who help you succeed in expanding your Spanish language and the locals who give you credit for trying to speak their language. It’s the fastest and easiest way to learn a language. I meet lifetime friends, and have now continued to take Spanish at University. It is now my favourite and best subject.
Before booking your plane tickets you need to think about what you want from this experience. Are you prepared to study in a foreign language? How much cultural immersion do you want? Do you want to live in a big city, in the mountains or on the coast? Do you want to do other activities? Do you want College credits? Do you want to study in a developed or undeveloped country? Are you (or your parents, family!) worried about safety?
After these types of questions are answered, it’s easier to narrow down the options on your destination choice.
What are the options? They are almost endless. Volunteer work in remote parts of India, the Amazon, or Africa? Attending College in Argentina, Cuba, Russia or Mongolia? Adventure travel in Venezuela, New Zealand or Ecuador? Language Schools in Greece, Poland or Brazil?
Most Universities and Language Schools still offer the standard language such as Spanish, with intensive or incentive plus courses. However, there is a growing trend towards learning a language with a specific activity – normally a passion. How about French with French Cuisine? Italian in Florence with art, Sculpture, Fashion or even goldsmith artisan? Or kayaking the Orinoco Delta, climbing mystical Tepuy, jeep safari the Gran Sabana in Venezuela, all while learning Spanish? Or perhaps learning Spanish in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, or Mexico while learning to Surf? Or scuba dive? Or even play golf! This is the way of the future for study abroad. Not only do you learn a language, immerse yourself in a new culture, but you also get to develop a lifetime passion.
So how should you decide?
The web is a good place to gather information. However, don’t limit yourself to this. You can get information and book direct with most Language schools around the world. However, a more prudent option is to discuss the options with your study abroad office (if at University) and a Language School agent. Study abroad advisors are experienced especially in knowing what your campus supports and encourages. They can assist you in exploring reasonable alternatives and help you form your objectives for a foreign study program. They can help determine whether the courses you are considering will meet your educational goals, and whether you will receive academic credit for them. You study abroad office should have a list of courses approved by the University. There are also advantages in contacting a language school agent. This is normally a free service to you the potential students. Agents receive a commission from the Language Schools or Overseas Universities. In fact often the agents can get the courses at a slightly reduced cost, saving you he potential ‘student’ money. Second, agents only want to deal with good schools/Colleges. They don’t want to deal with any that have caused problems in the past. With thousands and thousands of options out there – it is better for the agent to deal with just the trusted and tried. The agent should also know a lot about the school and the destination. So they should be able to match you needs, and individual preference with a school. Finally, if a problem occurs, having an agent helps a lot A school is much more likely to listen to an agent who send them 100 students a year – than an individual student.
You are there – what can you expect?
Regardless of your reason for studying abroad, the experience is looked forward to with both
anticipation, and sometimes some misgivings especially if studying for several months or more, coupled with the fear of the unknown. It becomes a trade off. While it is exciting to anticipate a trip, students know they will have to say good-bye, sometimes for many months, to family, friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, and lifestyle. Feelings of occasional sadness about this and doubts about leaving are normal.
What follows is a modification of the stages of cultural adjustment as identified by sociologist
Gregory Trifonovicht.
The honeymoon stage
This is characterized by exhilaration, anticipation and excitement. You are often fascinated with everything that is new. You will demonstrate an eagerness to please, a spirit of cooperation, and an active interest in learning. Everything is new – friends, experiences. Nothing seems to be a problem. You are on top of the world! You are great to be around, to work with and to work for. Yet in your enthusiasm to please, you may frequently nod or smile to indicate understanding when, in fact, you have not understood. When misunderstandings mount up, you are likely to experience the second state
of cultural adjustment.
The hostility stage
Characterized by frustration, anger, anxiety, and sometimes depression. Following the initial excitement is frustration with the system. Your normal and accepted patterns of living have been disrupted.
Your reaction to this frustration is rejecting the new environment in which you feel discomfort. You tend to blame the external environment for the bad feelings. At this point, you may display hostility toward the new culture. Some of these hostilities are translated into anger over minor frustrations, excessive fear and mistrust, lack of interest, lack of motivation, and at worst, complete withdrawal.
Academic problems may begin during this stage. The best antidote to the hostility stage is participation on lots of activity and gaining new knowledge about your new surrounds and culture.
The humor stage
You begin to relax in the new situations as you become more aware of the outcomes. You laugh at minor mistakes and misunderstandings, which previously would have caused major headaches in the hostility state. This more relaxed state of being occurs after the person has made some connections and is able to manage the size and complexity of the new culture.
Feeling at home stage
This occurs when you feel connectedness not only to your original culture but also feel at home in the newly acquired one. You have successfully adjusted to the standards and expectations of the new culture.
Mixed feeling - Sadness and Excitement Stage.
It is time to leave. You feel both excitement at going home, and concurrently, sadness. There is excitement to be with your family and friends and to share your experience with them. Sadness that you are leaving something, and often people, that have become special. Many people who have studied abroad keep in contact with their new friends, and often return time and again to re new these important acquaintances. You will take with you a lifetime experience in growth, understanding, and friendships.
Some tips to travelling on your study abroad
Organise before you go
-Travel documents (passport, visa, etc.)
-Travel arrangements (international transportation, etc.)
-Housing information (living arrangements, roommates, etc.)
-Health and safety issues (what to do, what not to do)
-Financial matters (payments schedules, financial aid, etc.)
-Communication with family and friends (how to establish, etc.)
-Host culture information (history, customs, laws, politics, etc.)
-Knowledge of home culture
- Make a photocopy of your address book, passport and flight details and keep it separate from the original. That way if lost, or these important items are stolen – it will make life much easier
-Packs: Simple advice – take a good one!
Advice
-Travelling with large amounts of cash is not recommended. You should consider using several different forms of payment for your expenses. Traveller’s checks, credit cards, ATM cards and cash can all be used effectively depending on the country. However, there are some countries where a ‘local currency market’ is normal, and you get much better rates for your money than drawing out of the ATM/Credit card. Venezuela is a prime example where the street rate (even in 4 star hotels!) is 25 % better than the ATM rate. This is a case for carefully considering, and weighing up the risk, of taking to take more travellers cheques or cash
- Pictures – taking and taking! Take picture/postcards of home. Your friends from your new country will want to know about you, your life, your country. And of course take many photos. These will be the catalyst for many memories in your life.
-Contacting home: These days with email everyone thinks you should be in contact daily! Otherwise they get worried. Multiple that by say 20 people and that’s a lot of time on emails! What happened in the days of snail mail? Don’t be a slave to internet and email – you need to live and breathe your new country. Keep in touch – but explain that it may be good for all of you to do it on a weekly rather than a daily basis.
-Immersing yourself: Sometimes it seems easier to hang out with others from the same/similar countries. Often the ‘gringos’ hang out together. It may be hard to start – but the biggest reward is to immerse yourself in the new culture and make local friends. Give yourself a week where you say you are only going to speak the local language, and hang out with local people. You will be surprised at how quickly your life changes for the better.
Make the most of it! This is the opportunity. It’s a small portion of your life – don’t let it waste!
Written by Warwick White www.worldsbestlanguageschools.com
| | Author Info: Warwick White is a language school agent for www.worldsbestlanguageschools.com and www.study-abroad-program.info |
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